DALLAS - U.S. Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama side-stepped a pointed query about abortion on Saturday by “mega-pastor” Rick Warren during a televised forum.
Asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: “… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.”
He went on to reiterate his view that it was important to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies.
Republican presidential candidate John McCain, who followed Obama onto the stage of the nationally televised event, was more blunt and more emphatic.
He said a baby’s human rights began “at the moment of conception … I have a 25-year pro-life record.”
Both candidates were vying for the “faith vote,” in particular the one in four U.S. adults who count themselves as evangelical.
Obama took questions first from Warren and McCain followed. The two shared the stage together briefly.
Some centrist evangelicals have said they appreciate moves by the Democratic Party to “soften” the edges of its pro-choice stand by stressing the need to reduce the number of unwanted pregnancies and abortions — and by also working harder in areas like adoption.
But for many conservative evangelicals — a key part of the evangelical base — life begins at conception and the argument ends there.
The issue remains one of the most divisive and partisan in America — as Obama and McCain highlighted on Warren’s stage.
(Additional reporting by Jeff Mason)
(Photo credit: REUTERS/Rebecca Cook, Files, USA)
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Abortion is murder, plain and simple. Obama vows to sign the freedom of choice act which is abortion on demand for any reason throughout all nine months of pregnancy and he wants us all to pay for these murders with our tax dollars. Obama also was the head of a comittee in the Illinois senate to where his decision killed a law that protected babies who survived abortion to be carried to a cold hard hospital table and left to die. How can this man claim to know the Author of life when he so strongly promotes death. Is this the kind of president we need or want?
- Posted by Jay BonwellMccain won the Gold medal tonight at this forum, especially for his succinct responses to questions. Another win for America tonight.
I understand Obama didn’t win a medal for his performance, but instead was awarded a gift certificate for a Starbucks Sirena Espresso coffe maker.
- Posted by SigmondThis forum tonight was the best I have seen in any campaign. It was completely fair and gave each candidate the chance to speak in a more relaxed atmosphere compared to debates or forums I have seen in the past.
- Posted by DarlaI am a Christian and tonight confirmed for me that my vote will go to John McCain. I had been a little uneasy before tonight’s forum but I feel confident now that McCain has the same values I have especially in regard to the abortion issue.
McCain mopped the floor with Obama.
- Posted by KevinHow ironic: the security word for my post was “love.”
This isn’t an argument about pro-life or pro-choice. This is about whether or not sex is to be had with our without consequences.
Anyone who thinks the right answer is “without” will be returning to the classroom.
- Posted by MarkHow to win this war is above Obama’s pay grade too…
- Posted by AveryLike Hillary said “he had a speech”. That is not the type of answer one would expect out of the potential next leader of the FREE WORLD! Maybe next time!
- Posted by REXWhat does “soften your edges” on abortion mean except northing will change. The libs don’t give a tinkers damn in hell about reducing the numbers of abortions. Even with that, there will still be millions of babies destroyed every year in spite of their “softened edges.”
- Posted by KenJohn McCain is 100% prolife. Barack Obama is 100% proabortion. McCain loves babies. But how can Obama prove to me that he loves babies?
- Posted by Philip SaenzAbove his pay grade? What a shmoe. What blatant disrespect. The guy has no class.
- Posted by Jim[...] Asked at what point a baby gets “human rights,” Obama, who strongly supports abortion rights, said: “… whether you’re looking at it from a theological perspective or a scientific perspective, answering that question with specificity … is above my pay grade.” STORY LINK [...]
- Posted by OBAMA: DETERMINING A BABY’S HUMAN RIGHTS IS ‘ABOVE MY PAY GRADE’ « The Catskill CommentatorIn other words, you can have all the sex you want and if you get pregnant have an abortion, and the government will pay for it. NOT ME! The debate tonight was very telling in that the maturity came out shining. Obama has been over played and over paid in my estimation. I heard from him everything I am against, morally and socially.
- Posted by RitaAbove my pay grade? Is it supposed to be funny that a Democrat can’t take a single stance on anything. This politician is pathetic!!!
- Posted by PatrickAfter listening to that forum - I’m not sure Obama knows what he believed. We weaved an wondered all around those questions. McCain was direct and succinct in his answers. You might not agree with him - but at least you know where he stands. Obama remains an enigma.
- Posted by RickObama has shown himself to be unworthy of the office of president with his making a joke out of the question put to him. Life is not to be joked about, especially when the Democrats platform is based on the campaign of allowing baby murder they like to refer to as “abortion”.
- Posted by gpIt is sad that liberals could not bring themselves to allow the killing of a convicted criminal but they have no problem with the grizzly murders of unborn & partially born children.
God help us all if a Marxist like Obama can get elected as president of this great country.
If he can’t answer because it is above his pay grade then why should we put him in the top job? It will remain above his pay grade when he returns to the Senate.
Also, he said he would not have nominated Clarence Thomas to the Supreme Court because he lacked experience and was not qualified. Sounds familiar.
- Posted by Jack SheetAbove me pay grade? Is it supposed to be funny that a Democrat can’t take a single stance on anything. This politician is pathetic.
- Posted by PatrickObama’s lame answer proves that he is a huge wimp!!!
- Posted by Kelly in Oak LawnHow the Catholics can overwhelmingly vote for Democrat pro-choice candidates is perplexing. I thought Catholics were pro-life.
- Posted by Jack AllenIt doesn’t matter when life begins. For the state to force women to have babies represents tyranny against which Americans should fight and die. Better to sacrifice the fetus for the sake of human freedom than kill grown men with names and personalities.
- Posted by Andrew Austin